Lagos State government has paid five communities in Eluju-mowo along Itoikin-Epe Road crop compensation for the 500 hectares of their farmland acquired by government for Farm Estate Initiative (FEI).
Speaking at a cheque presentation ceremony to representatives of the affected communities at Ministry of Agriculture, at Ikeja, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Food Security, Mr. Ganiyu Okanlawon Sanni, said the payment of crop compensation was in fulfillment of the promise made by the state government to residents of the communities.
According to him, acquiring the lands and payment of crop compensation was subsequent to the effort of the government to address the various challenges facing agriculture in the state such as declining land for agricultural activities, encroachment by land speculators as well as promoting the utilisation of agricultural land for its intended purposes.
He said the effort is also geared towards boosting food security in the state, adding that the lands in these communities will be allocated to farmers after the payment of crop compensation. He added that the move by the state government is aimed at the commercialisation of the agriculture sector and a drastic move from subsistent farming to a high mechanised farming.
He stated that farm activities on the acquired land will be fully equipped with modern farming implements to boost the output of agricultural produce, adding that the state government also recently commissioned an Agricultural Equipment Hiring Centre, which has been put in place to complement the state-owned functional agricultural implement unit.
“The Agricultural Equipment Hiring Centre is targeted towards providing mechanised tools at a reduced rate to farmers.The initiative has been set to reduce drudgery in agriculture, increase farmland under cultivation, promote competition and enhance the value of money for farmers.”
Source: Nigeria Today
No comments:
Post a Comment